Show Highlights 1/29/10

Mike Gavin

The iPad name continues to inspire jokes and spoofs…some from five years before the device was even conceived! Plus…Bernanke gets to keep his seat, Toyota comes up with a fix for it’s stuck gas pedals, why we should care about the World Economic Forum, how to use the sun to get your shower steamy, and how the “Snuggie” has gone from joke to sensation!

For Friday January 29, 2009…

4:44- Fed. Chairman Ben Bernanke gets to keep his job. University of Maryland Professor Peter Morici often disagreed with his policies, but thinks it was the right move.

9:21- A spoof on something called the iPad by the sketch comedy show MadTV that was made FIVE YEARS AGO leads us to the story about how the name of the new Apple tablet device has continued to make people scratch their heads and crack jokes.

13:27- Toyota thinks they have a fix for the gas pedal problems that are plaguing many of their most popular models. WSJ’s Kate Linebaugh says that it’s important to understand the history of Toyota recalls, and remember that they’re not all cause by the same malfunction.

29:34- Not much has been made so far of this year’s World Economic Forum, which (in case you haven’t heard) is going on right now. Nariman Behravesh of IHS Global Insight tells us why it’s kind of an important get together.

32:09- Snuggies, Slap-Chops, and other late night staples have not only become big business on TV, but in retail stores too. WSJ’s Katy Rosman tells us why we’re drawn to these products that claim to fix problems we didn’t even know we had!

About WSJ This Morning

Wake up with America’s first news – The Wall Street Journal This Morning. Host Gordon Deal and news anchor Gina Cervetti go beyond the headlines with the day’s first look at news and business news from the U.S. and around the world; bringing a lively blend of intelligent information, humor, and expert analysis to morning radio.

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Biographies

Gordon Deal Before taking the helm at The Wall Street Journal This Morning in November 2005, Gordon was well-known to New York City radio listeners, having worked at both WINS-AM and WCBS-AM where he honed his writing skills and developed his distinctive on-air reporting style. He also served as New York City bureau chief for Metro Networks where his reports aired on WOR-AM and WABC-AM.

Gina Cervetti has an extensive radio news anchoring and reporting background including several years at Boston NPR affiliate WBUR-FM where she anchored the local production of "All Things Considered" and "Here and Now." Gina is an Associated Press Award-winning broadcaster, whose reports have been heard all over New England, including WRKO Boston and WTAG Worcester. She graduated from Boston University.

Mike Gavin oversees the production of the show which includes coordinating segments with WSJ reporters, editors, and outside newsmakers. He also oversees the sound and content of the show including all music and sound elements. Mike had spent a decade in radio programming and production before finding a home at WSJ Radio in 2007. He lives at the Jersey Shore with his wife and son.